Quality Matters (QM) Company Profile
Background
Overview
Quality Matters (QM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and improving the quality of online education and student learning. Established in 2003, QM offers a comprehensive quality assurance system for online and blended learning environments, serving a diverse community of educational institutions worldwide.
Mission and Vision
- Mission: To promote and improve the quality of online education and student learning nationally and internationally through the development of current, research-supported, and practice-based quality standards and appropriate evaluation tools and procedures.
- Vision: To be the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning environments.
Primary Area of Focus
QM specializes in providing quality assurance for online and blended learning environments, focusing on course design, professional development, and peer review processes to enhance educational outcomes.
Industry Significance
As a leader in quality assurance for online education, QM has been instrumental in setting standards and providing frameworks that institutions use to ensure the effectiveness and quality of their online courses and programs. Its influence extends to over 1,200 member institutions across the globe, underscoring its significant role in the educational sector.
Key Strategic Focus
Core Objectives
- Quality Assurance: Develop and maintain quality standards for online and blended learning environments.
- Professional Development: Offer training and resources to educators to enhance their skills in online course design and delivery.
- Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of ongoing evaluation and refinement of online courses to meet evolving educational needs.
Specific Areas of Specialization
- Course Design Review: Assessing and certifying the quality of online and blended courses through a peer review process.
- Professional Development Workshops: Providing workshops and certifications to educators on applying QM standards to course design.
- Research and Conferences: Conducting research and hosting conferences focused on quality assurance in online education.
Key Technologies Utilized
- Quality Matters Rubric: A set of standards used to evaluate the quality of online and blended courses.
- Course Review Management System: An online platform that facilitates the course review process.
Primary Markets Targeted
- Higher Education Institutions: Colleges and universities seeking to enhance the quality of their online offerings.
- K-12 Schools and Systems: Educational institutions aiming to improve their online and blended learning environments.
- Continuing and Professional Education Providers: Organizations offering online courses and programs for adult learners.
Financials and Funding
Funding History
QM began as an initiative supported by a Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Over time, it transitioned into a self-sustaining nonprofit organization, generating revenue through institutional subscriptions and fee-based services, including course reviews and professional development workshops.
Total Funds Raised
Specific details regarding total funds raised are not publicly disclosed.
Recent Funding Rounds
As a nonprofit organization, QM does not engage in traditional funding rounds. Its financial resources are primarily derived from membership fees and service offerings.
Notable Investors
As a nonprofit, QM does not have investors in the traditional sense. Its funding comes from member institutions and revenue generated through its services.
Intended Utilization of Capital
Funds are utilized to support research initiatives, develop and maintain quality assurance tools, expand professional development programs, and enhance the overall impact of QM's services on the educational community.
Pipeline Development
As a nonprofit organization focused on quality assurance in online education, QM does not have a product pipeline in the traditional sense. Instead, it continually develops and refines its quality standards, professional development programs, and research initiatives to meet the evolving needs of the educational sector.
Technological Platform and Innovation
Proprietary Technologies
- Quality Matters Rubric: A research-based set of standards used to evaluate the quality of online and blended courses.
- Course Review Management System: An online platform that facilitates the course review process, allowing institutions to submit courses for evaluation and track progress.
Significant Scientific Methods
- Peer Review Process: A systematic evaluation conducted by trained reviewers to assess course quality against QM standards.
- Continuous Improvement Framework: An iterative process that encourages institutions to regularly evaluate and refine online courses based on feedback and data.
Leadership Team
Key Executives
- Deb Adair: Executive Director
- Bethany Simunich: Vice President, Innovation and Research
- Brenda Boyd: Vice President, Program Services
- Racheal Brooks: Director, Quality Assurance Implementation Solutions
- Ron Legon: Executive Director Emeritus
- Christine Voelker: Director, Digital Learning Collaborative
- Kay Shattuck: Founding Director and Senior Advisor for Research
- Jim Snyder: Director, Community Engagement and Marketing
- Kathleen Schassen: Director, Creative Services & Brand Experience
- Tom Claffey: Chief Financial Officer, Senior Operations Director
Professional Backgrounds and Contributions
- Deb Adair: As Executive Director, Deb leads QM's strategic initiatives, focusing on expanding the organization's impact and fostering partnerships within the educational community.
